Garment or ironing press



July 21, 1931. J. c. LEDBETTER GARMENT OR IRON INGPRESS Filed Sept 8. 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR BY James [amrad Zedfeller W m TTORNEYQ July 21, 1931. J. c. LEDBETTER GARMENT OR IRONING'PRESS Filed Sept. 8, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR BY James fllmrad ledell'er' r {M AT QRNEYS July 21, 1931. JQc. LEDBETTER GARMENT OR IRONINGPRESS Filed Sept. 8. 192a 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 w" 'IIIIIIIIII lN VENTOR BY James [ammd lea Feller: r- W ATTO EYS July 21, 1931. J. c. LEDBETTER GARMENT 0R IRONING PRESS 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 8. 1928 uw y W m m INVENTOR W ATTO NEYS James (Zzmrod ledfieller July 21, 1931. LEDBETTER 1,815,783

GARMENT OR IRONINGPRESS Filed Sept. 8. 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENT BM (Maid zedfiezzer it M RNEYS bodying novel means for transmitting air Patented July 21, 1931 UNITED STATES JAMES GAMROD LEDBETTER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO THE PROSPERITY PATENT OFFICE COMPANY, INC., 01 SYRACUSE, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK GARMENT OR IRONING PRESS Application filed September 8, 1928. Serial No. 304,752.

This invention relates to garment presses and laundry ironing machines and has for its general object that of producing a novel press of simple and compact structure. 3 An important object is to produce pressing machines improved in respect to the piping system, i. e. the fluid transmitting means or conduits whereby steam, air or other fluid or work treating medium isconveyed to and from one or both of thepress jjaws for the purpose of heating them and or spraying the work or for other purposes useful in conditioning the work incident to the pressing operations.

, A further object of the invention is to produce improvements in respect to flexible fluid connections used with the novel piping system or fluid transmitting conduit means and whereby leak proofflexible connections are used to increase the efliciency and use of the-press and which do not require repair and ti htening up operations such as are true 0% stufling-boxes, packing glands and the like.

A further object is to produce a press empressure or air suction to one or moreof the press jaws and articularly to the movable press jaw to aidm conditioning the work incident to pressing garments and the like, as for example for removing the steam from the work to cool it.

A further object is to produce improvements in the pressoperating means which closes and opens the press and which produces and releases jaw compression. The operating means includes an improved swingable arm to carry the movable press jaw or head through its several motions and also includes motor means toproduce high pressure on the work. The motor means consists of a novel fluid pressure motor which cooperates with the swingable member to actuate one of the press jaws.

Having the above and other objects in view, the accompanying drawings illustrate the principles of the invention, and it is understood that changes may be made in the structure, operation and use since the present disclosure is by way of example only.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 shows a side view of the press in closed position and the press head and buck or jaws are under compression. Figure 2 shows a side view with the press aws in open position. This view is in partial vertical section, showing part of the fluidconduit improvement... The fluid pressure motor is removed for clarity. One of the novel flexible fluid pressure connections -and shows the structure of the bearing ear fulcrum part behind the corrugated bellowslike tubular fluid connection shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 shows a side vertical section through the press with the jaws removed and the swingable upright member which carries the head is swung forwardly in press-closed position, and the fluid pressure motor means is shown in final pressure position.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 ex cept the parts in Figure 5 are in a position reversed to that of Figure 4. In other words the head carrying upright is in rearwardly limited position so that the, press is open and consequently the motor means is in nonpressing position.

Figure 6 is a rear view of the press frame with the press jaws removed and showing a rear elevation of a plurality of bellows-like flexible fluid'tubular connections which are disposed in alignment with the pivot-point of the swingable upright which carries the press head. This view also shows a rear elevation of a master valve and pipes connected thereto, the purpose of the valve being to selectively control the flow of steam and air spray pressure, or air suction, to one or both of the press jaws for treating the work.

Figure 7 is a front or face view of the master valve showing its indicating dial or face; and Figure 8 is a cross section of the valve taken on the line of 88.

Figure 9 shows a horizontal cross section through the press looking down on the parts in the press frame and the section is taken. on the line 9-9 of Figure 6. This view shows a top elevation of the motor means and the fluid conduit or piping system.

Figure 10 shows a vertical section through the master or combination steam and air control valve as shown in Figures 7 and 8.

In accordance with the principles of this .invention, there are provided improvements in motor means to produce final high jaw compression, improvements in flexible steam connections and in the piping or conduit system, in the general assembly and operation of the press and in the clear vision wide open jaw features whereby the press head moves far back from over the buck to fully expose it to receive the work.

Any suitable press frame 5 carries a work table 6 and lower press jaw or buck 7 in the usual way and the pres-s operating and conduit means to be explained. An upper press jaw or head'8 is carried above the lower jaw 7 and is adapted to be actuated by operating means hereinafter described. The frame 5 may be made with a stop 9 ofany suitable form so as to provide a back stop limit for the outward or rearwardly swinging motionof parts forming the operating means to be de scribed. A frame plate 5a connects the frame legs and this plate 5a across the rear bottom of the press frame is used to mount the lower ends of the novel tubular fluid pressure transmitting connections used in conveying steam and/or air'toand from the movable press jaw.

An operating member or arm forms part of the press operating means and consists of a swingable upright 11, its upper end being attached to the head 8 and its lower end being carried on horizontal spaced pivot means 12 aligned in the frame below or under the press jaws. The weight of the press head 8 is therefore carried on the upright 11 above the pivots 12 and is substantially balanced and the head and upright structure 811 in a measure constitutes an inverted pendulum assembly which ordinarily renders it unnecessary to employ counter-balancing means. The upright or head actuating arm 11 may be constructed in any suitable form, but the example disclosed comprises a pressed-out sheet metal swingable frame, preferably stamped from one sheet metal piece including a central web or body portion 13 having upright parallel marginal reinforcing edges or flanges 11. 'A spring or other means 10 aids in drawing the head 8 forward and yields to allow the head and its operating means 11 to open.

The upright head carrying frame 11-13 also includes a lower horizontal inturned marginal flange or pipe seat 14 which may be integrally turned up at right angles to the body web portion 13 and between the side flanges or edge 11 and extends across the web 13 and joins the side flanges 11. This provides a rigid construction and enables the manufacturer to use relatively thin sheet metal from which to press out the wide swingable upright head carrying frame 11 13. The lower extremity of the upright is shown as substantially vertical and is in the frame under the press buck 7 and then curves outwardly through the frame and again extends vertically upward, then around the work table to the rear of the press jaws and bends forward and extends across the head 8 to provide spaced handle carrying brackets 15 between which is attached a handle 16 adapted to be grasped by an operator to draw the head forward and close the press.

In fact the handle carrying brackets 15 are merely a continuation of the upright marginal flanges 11 of the frame which reach upwardly from the transverse flange or inturned plate '14. The side flanges 11 of the swingable head carrying frame 13 are extended-below the horizontal flange 14 to form bearing ears or bearing means 17, and thus is provided two-spaced and aligned bearing cars 17 which are swingably supported on the two spaced aligned pivots 12. The axis of the pivots 12 is parallel to the flange or plate 14 and parallel tothe frame plate 5a.

The horizontal space between the two bearing ears 17 under the flange 14 is utilized for assembling a plurality of bellows-like flexible fluid connections; and the transverse and movable flange 14 together with the stationary frame plate 5a are employed as mounting means to carry the connections as will be explained.

The swingable upright 11 is sufliciently broad to afford movable stability and a straight guided motion of the head 8 back and forth across the buck 7, and is long enough to reach from the lower part of the frame to the press jaws and therebeyond to the handle 16. Each of the lower spaced bearing ears 17 are pivotally mounted upon the respective pivot bolts or spaced pins 12 and each of the latter are carried upon parallel arms 19 which are spaced apart in the frame 5 and constitute part of the press operating means. Each rear end of the parallel arms 19 is pivotally mounted on a cam 20 fixed to a shaft 21 and this shaft is journalled in the frame. Adjustment cams 20 for the support of the arms 19 are mounted to the rear of the pivots 12 on which-the upright 11 swings. The axes 21 and 12-are parallel, the shaft 21 being continuous so that it uniformly rotates both cams 20, but each pin 12 is just long enough to mount the bearing ear 17 on the arm 19.

The pair of parallel arms 19 are connected with any suitable" form of operating means by which to work them up and down and hence work the pivots 12 up and down to release and produce jaw compression. The operating means shown comprise motor means for producing high jaw compression,

preferably a fluid pressure motor, but any' other type of motor means or a pedal may be employed. To this end, each arm 19 may be made with a cam guideway 23 in which a motor operated cam 24 is rotated. The spaced cams 24 are fixed on a motor shaft 25 which is driven by a fluid pressure motor 26.

The reference 26 designates the casing of a novel fluid pressure motor adapted to turn the spaced cams 24through 180 degrees to work up and down the two parallel arms 19 and hence the'upright 11 and head 8 to release and produce j aw compression. The fluid ressure motor 26 is mounted upon a frame Ease 28, between the arms 19 and forwardly of the frame and of the spaced pivots 12. This fluid pressure motor 26 is relatively simple in construction and includesthe circular casing 26 aforesaid, the inner cylindrical face 30 of which is formed concentric to the shaft axis-25. A piston plate or pressure vein 31 is fixed to the shaft 25 and is adapted to rotate in the semi-cylindrical casing 26 under fluid pressure admitted to first one side thereof, and then the other.

Thefluid pressure motor 26 is adapted to operate through substantially a half turn although in some forms of the invention vit may be desirable to modify this motor construction to provide any stroke or degree of turn of the plate 31 most fitted for the work at hand. The oscillating motor plate 31 may be provided with outwardly spring pressed resilient packing means in its outer edges which engage the casing face 30 to provide a fluid pressure tight running fit against the surface 30 without producing undue friction. As the plate 31 swings through its operatin are, it follows that the motor shaft 25 an hence the cams 24 on each end thereof are similarly. rotated to correspondingly actuate the arms 19 and the press head 8.

From the foregoing it is apparen. that the motor 26 is mounted between the spaced parallel arms 19 and cams 20. The rear ends of the arms 19 are pivotally spaced at 20 in In some cases it is desirable to rovide means for adjusting the relative height of the rear ends of thearms 19 in the press frame 5 in order to adjust the degree'of com pression between the head and buck. For this purpose the rear ends of the motor operated arms 19 are each carried on the cams 20 and each cam is fixed to the shaft 21 as before stated. By rotating the shaft 21 both cams 20 are rotated which adjusts the arms 19 in an up and down manner in relation to the frame. This adjustment is accomplished by a hand wheel 33 fastened to the upper end of the rod 34. The rod 34 is journalled in the frame and the lower end is provided with any suitable means for adjustably turning the shaft 21 and hence the cams 20. In this instance a worm pinion 35 is fixed on the lower end of the rod 34 and meshes with a worm wheel 36 fixed to the shaft 21.

The operator may therefore manuall adjust the distance between the press j aws; and 8 by turning the hand wheel 33 which trans mits motion to the shaft 21 and consequently adjustably turns the cam 20 to correspondingly elevate or depress the spaced pivots 12 on which the head carrying frame 11 is pivotally supported. In this way the jaw compression is adjusted to the requirements of the work at hand. For thick work the head 8 is slightly elevated and for thin work it is lowered by turning hand wheel 33 which is located conveniently to the operator.

The fluid motor 26 is provided with a pressure supply and exhaust control means to force the movable motor parts 25-31 through their cycle of operation. A passage 39 in the base 28 connects to the motor on one side of the motor shaft 25 while another passage 40 connects to the motor on the other side of the shaft 25. Hence the pressure responsive plate 31 is movably mounted between the two fluid passages 39 and 40 where the latter enter the motor housing. An exhaust pipe 38 connects with a master passage 41 which in turn connects with a throttle valve 42. The valve 42 intercepts both passages 39 and 40 and is adapted to alternately connect first one passage 40 and then the other passage 39 to the exhaust pipe 38.

The fluid pressure passage 40 connects through the valve 42 with a fluid pressure inlet 43 and the latter connects with a pressure supply pipe 44 as shown in Figures 6 and 9; This pipe 44 is shown in Figure 9 leading under the motor base 28 where it connects in any suitable way with the inlet 43 and is also shown from the rear of the press in Figure 6 whereit is broken away since the-motor is omitted, from that view to avoid confusion of parts. Theinlet 43 and pipe 44 supplies steam or air pressure to oscillate the pressure plate 31 in both directions. The throttle valve 42 is under the manual control of the press operator'and consists of the valve core 42 rotatab-ly mounted in the base 28 with suitable valve passages formed therein to intercept, both fluid passages 39 and 40. A valve control link 46 is connected at 47 to the valve 42 and the upper end of the link 46 is connected to a throttle handle 48 which is moved up and down by the operator to initiate the, back. and forth half-rotary motion of the motor piston plate 31. When the throttle handle is down, as

handle 48 is up as shown in F igure5,valve 42 is set 111 a reverse 170811101110 that shown in Figure 4 and so 1t follows that the passage.

39 is connected with the inlet passage 43 and pipe 44 which drives the motor parts 2531 in a counter-clockwise direction to raise the arms 19 and thereby release jaw compression. It is to be noted that the exhaust pipe 38 is always connected with one or the other passages 39 and 40 at either valve setting so that the exhaust pressure from one or the other side of the oscillating motor plate 31 may be discharged from the motor 26 under the force of the incoming fluid pressure admitted to the other or opposite side of the plate 31.

To briefly explain the operation of the machine at this stage, assunie that the press is open as in Figure'f), and thework is spread upon the buck 7. The operator draws forward thehead 8 by using'the handle 16. He then depresses the motor control throttle handle 48 which sets the throttle valve 42 from idle position shown in Figure 5 to operating position shown in Figure 4 with-consequent clockwise movement of the motor means which forces down the arms 19, the pivots 12, and upright 11; and the arms 19 pivot about the adjustable cam supports 20 under rotary motion of the cams 24. The broad steel press head arm 11 yields or gives due to uneven work such as seams and folds in a garment and hence compensates for different thicknesses of the piece of work under pressure.

Improvements are provided in conduit meansto supply steam to one or both press jaws to heat them for pressing the work and to supply air and steam'spray to the work such as wash goods in laundries and woolen suits in tailor shops. The improvements in [question include novel flexible steam connections to convey the steam and/or air to the movablepress head, and in the present BS- ample of the invention the improvements in thepiping system for the press is shown in connection with and carried on the swingable upright or operating member 11 used as a part of the press operating mechanism which is adapted to carry the piping or conduit system as well as carry the press head 8. While this example of the invention shows pipes having their upper and lower ends attached to the upright 11 and hence swingable which are broken away from therear of the press but which connect with a boiler or other source of steam supply to circulate live steam through the press head 8 to heat it for pressing the work. The two steam circulating pipes 51 and 52 have their ends, which are adjacent the press, attached to the transverse horizontal frame plate or pipe seat 5a. which provides an anchorage to rigidly secure all the pipes, which extend from the source of steam supply, .to the press. The press frame plate is preferably disposed directly under the spaced pivots 12 and beneath the transverse flange 14 of the u )right 11 and forms a seat on which the exibl-e fluid connection means is mounted.

The inlet pipe 51 is continued on the upright lever arm 11 as a rigid conduit 51a, the

upper end of which is connected to the heating chamber in one of the press jaws, in this instance in the press head 8. The lower end of the rigid conduit-51a is secured to the transverse conduit 'mounting flange or pipe seat anchorage 14 of the upright 11. The two pipe assembly plates or seat anchorages 5a and 14.are placed diametrically opposite and parallel to the axis of the spaced pivots 12 and provide convenient means for assembling the conduit system because the rigid pipes 51, 52 and others which lead into the press frame under the upright 11 may be attached to the lower stationary frame-plate 5a while th-e'rigid conduits 51a and 52a and others which swing with the upright 11 may be attached to the movable flange 14. The two pipe mounting means 5a and 14 and hence the conduits securedthercto are spaced apart and are adapted to be'connected with improvements in flexible fluid pressure conduits or tubular connections capable of a com-- pound motion as willnow be explained.

There are two motions which characterize the swingable conduit mounting flange 14 and hence the lower end of all pipes which are carried onthe upright. The pipe mounting flange 14 is subjected first to a swinging or angular motion about the axis. 12 and subjected second to a vertical up and down motion or more particularly an angular motion about the aXis 21. Hence the lower end of all conduits attached to the pipe mounting plate 14 are adapted to move up and down and also undergoes a bending or swinging motion; The swingingmotion is the result of opening and closing the press from the pressure connection capable of a similar mo- I tion to w1t, stretching and contracting act1on or longitudinal motion and swinging or bending motion between the fixed ends of the flexible tubular connection which will now be described.

In order to connect the stationary steam circulating pipes 51 and 52 with the bodily swingable steam circulating conduits 51a and 52a, flexible connections of a novel kind are provided. To this end I employ a bellowslike cylindrical corrugated tubular connection 53 to connect the stationary fixed extremities of inlet pipes 51 and 51a. Similarly, a bellows-like connection 54 connects the fixed ends of the outlet or return steam pipe 52 and 52a. Steam to heat the press jaw passes up through the flexible tubular connection 53 and back down through the other connection 54. The upper ends of the flexible tubular conduits 53 and 54 are anchored to the conduit mounting plate 14 and hence are subjected to the compound up and down and bending motion thereof. 7

The lower ends of the flexible tubular connections 53 and 54 may be anchored to the stationary frame plate 50 ormay be anchored to a flanged pipe fitting 55 the lower end of each of which is mounted on the frame plate 5a and is also connected to the steam circulating pipes 51 and 52, while the upper stationary flanged end of each fitting 55 is sealed to the bottomof the bellows connections 53 and 54. In this way, the upper and lower extremities of the bellows connections 53 and 54 are fixed, the upper ends being subjected to the compound motion of the upright 11 while the lower ends are stationary on the frame. The bellows connections 53 and 54 are well suited to undergo this compound motion because they readily move in a lengthwise direction and easily bend about their lengthwise axes.

lVith further reference to the tubular connections 53 and 54 it is noted that they are placed in parallel relation to each other and stand upright. Furthermore the bellows connections 53 and 54 have their upper ends on one side of the axis 12 and the other end on the other side of the axis 12. Hence the flexible extremities of the bellows connections are disposed diametrically opposite to axis 12. In other words the axis 12 extends transversely or right angularly to the axis of the several bellows connections and through the mean transverse center of said bellows connections. This characteristic disposition of the bellows between the two spaced pivot pins 12 constitutes an eificient placement of the bellows connections so as to subject them to minimum motion and this is accomplished by disposinglthe axes of all the bellows connections at rig t angles to and passing through the axis 12 on which the upright 11 is swingably mounted.

This improved press includes adequate means for spraying the work to condition it incident to pressing. In this respect it is well known in the art that one or both jaws are perforated so as to steam or air spray the work, or. to suck air through the work as by a vacuum system. The work is first steamed to heat it and to raise and expand the nap in woolens. The work is then pressed following the steam spraying operation and it is then well to air spray the work to'cool it. This may be done by a blast of air onto the work from the top or bottom aw, or this may be done by sucking air throu h the work as by vacuum means working t rough the perforated face of either jaw. For this purpose the lower extremity of a combination or master fluid spray pipe 57 is shown in Figure 6 extending away from the eye of the reader, which is to say that it is extending towards the front'of the press as shown'in Figure 2, and it bends upwardly at the front of the press and connects with a master spray control valve 58.

The master valve 58 is mounted on the upper part of a frame convenient to the hand of the operator and has a handle 59 to control the flow of fluid pressure (whether steam spray, air spray, or air suction) to the work through the master spray pipe 57 which leads to the press head 8. To the master valve 58 is connected 9. numberof separate pipes to supply the press with' various forms of spray medium used to wit, steam spray, air spray and/ or air suction. In other words, the master valve 58 is connected with a separate source of supply for the several spray mediums required, whereas only one pipe 57 leads from the valve 58 to the press jaw. Since it is suflicient in the present disclosure to use one spray medium at a time, the master spray pipe 57 to the head is adequate.

The master valve simply constitutes a selecting or switching means whereby pipe 57 isconnected with the source of the respectively chosen spray medium.

The lower rear end of the master spray pipe 57 is anchored to the frame plate 5a, the same as heretofore explained for other pipes. Master pipe 57 extends up the swingable member 11 as pipe 57 a which is merely a continuation of pipe 57 and the upper end of pipe 57 a connects with the spray chamber of the press jaw 8 in the well known way. The lower extremity of the conduit 57a is attached to the conduit mounting plate 14 in the same way as heretofore explained for other conduits, and hence the two adjacent pipe ends 57 and 57aare spaced apart the same as heretofore explained for other pipes, and this intervening space is bridged by a circularor cylindrical corrugated flexible tubular connection 60 of bellows-like form. The fluid pressure connection 60 has its lower and upper ends sealed respectively to the master s ray pipes 57 and 57a. Furthermore, the be lows 60 is parallel to the'other bellows 53 and 54 and is mounted in the same plane therewith so as to occupy the same relation in respect to the axis of the two spaced pivot pins 12.

There remains the necessary pipes to supply the several forms of spray mediums to the master valve 58 so that the valve can switch on first one medium and then the other to the master spray pipe 57-57a- An air pressure spray pipe 62 leads from a source of supply into the press frame preferably at the bottom thereof in line with all other pipes and connects with the master spray valve 58 and by proper setting of the master spray valve handle 59 to the desired indication Figure 7 it follows that the air'spray pressure is turned into the pipe 57 and blows through the bellows connection 60 and hence onto the work in the form of a cold or hot air spray.

In the same way anair suction supply or vacuum pipe 63 connects with the master valve 58 and by properly setting the valve handle 59 it follows that the air is drawn or sucked through the work and through the r perforated jaw face and evacuated out through said pipe 63 which is connected with any suitable source of vacuum such as a suction fan. In a similar fashion, a steam spray pipe 64 connects'with the master valve 58 and with a source of steam supply and by properly setting the valve handle 59 it follows that steam is turned into the master pipe 57 to blow steam upward through flexible connection 60 and out through jaw perforations onto the work.

In the foregoing description, there is explained the work spraying piping system for supplying to the master valve 58 various kinds of spray mediums through the flexible connection 60 to condition the work placed between the press jaws. To briefly recapitulate, pipe 62 supplies air pressure to the master valve by which air is sprayed upon the work. Pipe 63 supplies air suction to the valve to produce by vacuum a flow of air through the work which is simply the reverse of the air spraying operations. Pipe 64 supplies steam spray to soften the work preliminary to pressing it. The plurality of pipes constituting the whole of the piping system for spraying the work, as Well as the jaw heating pipes 51 and 52 are led in through the bottom of the press underneath the swingable head carrying member. 11. The various spray pipes are led to the master valve 58 which selectively connects one pipe at a time to the master spray pipe 57 which leads to a perforated jaw. On the other hand it is clear that the steam heating pipes 51 and 52 lead directly up the spray position of the handle.

culating pipes 51a and 52a along with the master spray pipe 57a on the rear face of the upright 11 is a feature of the invention that makes for compactness in structure and also in part encloses the pipes This is'due to the fact that the upturned reinforcing flanges 11 on the swingable arm conceals the piping from the sides and the structural web 13 conceals the piping from the front and it follows that the grouping of the several pipes is well laid out and usually concealed since the back of the press is usually adjacent to the wall of the building. The conduits carried on the swingable upright are shaped and bent to conform to the arched configuration of said arm 11.

The manner in which the piping system is grouped together with the improvements in the cylindrically-corrugated flexible tubular connections eliminates packing joints and stufling boxes ordinarily found in a large number of commonly used flexible steam connections. Furthermore, the use of flexible steam connection of the bellows type provides an adequate compound movement in two directions so that the jaw heating fluid and the work spraying fluid is efiiciently supplied to the pressing members or jaws.

The master spray control valve has an indicating face as shown in Figure 7 to enable the press operator to quickly select the desired spray medium and there is indicated steam spray, air-pressure spray and air-suction spray with the work closed between each When the valve handle points to the respective indication, the action of the fluid spray means is as shown and the work is greatly expedited.

What is claimed is:

1. In a press, the combination of a fixed main frame and a buck thereon; a pressing head, a supporting frame therefor, said supporting frame having a forwardly extending portion to which the head is attached and likewise having a rear and downwardly extending portion; a pivot support and means cooperating with said last named portion for pivotally mounting and guiding said supporting frame to carry the pressing head toward and from the buck; means for drawing the supporting frame downwardly to effect a pressing action between the head and buck; a fluid pressure conduit leading to the pressing head and including a tubular connection which is corrugated to afford a combination longitudinal and bending motion, and said tubular connection being disposed proximate the pivot support aforesaid and adapted to bend when the supporting frame moves toward and from the buck and to contract and elongate, respectively, when the supporting frame is drawn down to produce pressure and moves up to release pressure.

2. In a press, the combination of a fixed main frame and a buck thereon; a pressing head, a movable supporting frame for said head, said supporting frame having a bodil movement vertically and laterally with re erence to the fixed main frame which lateral movement carries the head toward and from the buck while in spaced relation thereto;

means acting to elevate the head and to throw 1 the same rearwardly clear of the buck means which afford a compound bending and longitudinal bellows action, one end of the tubular member being connected with the conduit to move therewith on the movable supporting frame and the other end being anchored on the fixed main frame, and a pivot mounted in the frame adjacent the tubular member and on which the movable supporting frame is swingably carried.

3. In a press, the combination with cooperating press jaws one of which is movable, operating means to open and close the press and produce jaw compression including an upright the lower end of which is pivoted below the jaws and the upper end of which arches around and is attached to the movable jaw, a horizontal compound motion pivot on which the lower end of the upright is swingably carried, a flexible conduit mounted adjacent and transversely to the axis of the horizontal pivot and adapted to undergo a compound bending and lengthwise movement during movement of the operating means, a fluid connection extending from one end of the flexible conduit to'the movable jaw, and a stationary support on which the other end of the flexible conduit ismounted.

4. In a press, the combination with cooperating press jaws and a frame to support the jaws, operating means attached to one jaw to open and close the press and produce jaw compression, a swinging member included in theoperating means and a pivot to operatively mount the swinging member in the frame, a corrugated bellows-like tube having one end fixed on the frame and the other end fixed to the swinging member whereby the tube gives and bends between its fixed ends during motion of the operating means, and the tube being so placed that its fixed ends are on opposite sides of the pivot and the axis of the pivot runs transversely to the axis of the tube.

5. In a press, cooperating press jaws and a frame to support the jaws, operating means to open and close the press and produce jaw compression swingable jaw carrying means in the form df an arm included in the operating means, one end of the arm being attached to the jaw and the other end being pivoted in the frame, a corrugated flexible tubular bellows-like fluid conduit having one end thereof fixed to the arm and the other end thereof fixed to the frame so that the fluid conduit passes through the axis of the arm pivot whereby the corrugated conduit flexes between its fixed ends during motion of the arm, and a fluid connection extending from .that end of the corrugated conduit which is fixed on the arm to that jaw which is attached to the arm.

6. In a press, cooperating press jaws and a frame to support the jaws, operating means to open and close the press and to produce aw compression, a swingable member forming a part of the operating means and one end 'of which is attached to a jaw, a pivot on which the swingable member is pivoted to open and close the press, means to move the pivot in relation to the frame to produce and release jaw compression, a circular corrugated flexible fluid connection capable of longitudinal and bending movement and having one end thereof fixed to the swingable mem ber on one side of the pivot and the other end thereof fixed to the frame on the other side of the pivot whereby the fluid connection undergoes a compound bending and longitudinal motion during movement of the operating means, and a conduit extending from the flexible fluid connection to that jaw which is attached to the member.

7. In a press, a frame and cooperating press jaws mounted thereon, operating means attached to one jaw to move the same and hence to open and close the press and produce jaw compression, an upright included in the operating means and a pivot on which the lower end of the upright is pivoted, a tubular bellows fluid conduit having one end fixed to the upright on one side of the pivot and the other end fixed to the frame on the other side of the pivot, a. fluid connection extending from the-movable jaw to the end of the tubular bellows which is fixed to the upright, and means included in the operating means to work the pivot up and down in relation to the frame.

8. In a press, a frame' and cooperating press jaws mounted thereon, operating means to open and close the press, an upright forming part of the operating means and having its upper end attached to one of the jaws to move the same, the upright being made of spaced parallel portions, two horizontal pivots on which the lower ends of the spaced parallel portions are pivoted and means to move the pivots up and down to produce and release jaw compression; a plurality of bellows-like tubular connections disposed in upright and parallel alignment with each other and being disposed between the two spaced pivots, the lower ends of the tubular connections being fixed to the frame and the upper ends being fixed to the movable upright, and conduits fixed to the upright and connected to the tubular connections and tothe mov able jaw.

9. In a press, a frame and cooperating press jaws mounted thereon, operating means to open and close the press including a swingable upright having its upper end attached to one jaw. the upright being formed of spaced parallel vertical portions and a lower horizontal edge portion joining the spaced vertical portions at the lower end of the upright, a pair of axially aligned horizontal pivots mounted below and parallel to the horizontal edge of the upright, a plurality of upright bellowslike fluid connections arranged in a row below the horizontal edge and means connecting them with said one jaw and having their upper ends fixed to the horizontal edge and their lower ends fixed to the frame, and means to work the horizontal pivots up and down to produce jaw compression.

10. In a press, a frame and cooperating press jaws mounted thereon, a jaw carrying arm pivoted in the frame and attached to a jaw to move the same, said arm being made of spaced parallel portions, spaced pivots on which the portions are pivoted, rigid conduits carried on the armbetween its spaced portions I and connected to the movable jaw, a horizontal plate connecting the spaced portions and parallel to the axis of the pivots, a plurality of corrugated bellows conduits disposed in alignment between the spaced pivots and having their one ends secured to the horizontal plate and their other ends secured to the frame, and the aforesaid rigid conduits being extended thru the plate and connected with the bellows conduits.

11. In a press, a frame and cooperating press jaws mounted thereon, a sheet metal upright operating arm attached to one jaw; the upright including a central web and body the lower edge of which is bent at right angles to form a horizontal flange, and the sides of which are also bent at right angles to form vertical flanges which join the horizontal I flange; spaced pivots. extension means on the upright reaching from the vertical flanges below the horizontal flange and fulcrumed on the pivots. flexible conduits placed under the horizontal flange and including means rendering them longitudinally movable and the conduits being connected at their upper ends to the horizontal flange and connected at their lower ends to the frame and being flexible between their fixed ends. conduits carried on the upright and movable therewith and adjacent the central web and body and the upper ends of the conduits being connected with the jaw which is attached to the upright and the lower ends of the conduits being connected with the flexible conduits, and means to work the pivots up and down in relation to the frame to produce jaw compression.

12. In a press, a frame and cooperating press jaws, an upright swingable arm having a flat central body and having marginal reinforcement flanges formed thereon, spaced pivots under the jaws on which marginal flanges of the arm are mounted, the arm at'it-supper end being arched around the jaws and attached to one jaw to open and close the press and at its lower end being directed into the frame, means to move the pivots up and down to produce jaw compression, rigid conduits bent to conform to and carried by and movable with the upright arm between the marginal flanges thereof. vertically mounted flexible conduits having their upper ends secured to a marginal flange and the lower ends of the rigid conduits being connected to the upper ends of the flexible conduits, the flexible conduits being disposed between the spaced pivots, the axis of the aforesaid pivots extending transversely to the axis of the flexible conduits, and the lower ends of the flexible conduits being secured to the frame.

13. In a press, a frame and a cooperating press head and buck, an upright swingable frame the lower end of which is pivoted below the buck and the upper end being arched forwardly and attached to the head, the upright having vertical marginal flanges which are spaced and upturned on a central web, the vertical flanges extending up and forward across and beyond the head, a handle carried at the forward ends of-the flanges, the spaced vertical flanges extending downwardly to the lower end of the upright and providing spaced flange bearing ears for reception of pivot means, the central web being inturned between the ears to form a horizontal flange adapted as a'pipe anchorage, horizontal pivot means on which thebearing ears are mounted, means to move the horizontal pivot means up and down in the frame to produce and release jaw compression, a fluid pipe carried on the upright and having one end attached to the horizontal flange pipe anchorage and the other end connected to the head, and a flexible fluid connection having one end attached to the horizontal flange and connected to the pipe.

14. A press as specified in claim 13 but characterized by the flexible fluid connection being a. Vertically disposed bellows-like flexible conduit placed between the spaced hearing ears and pivots and having its lower end fixed to the frame.

15 In a press, a frame and cooperating press jaws, an operating member attached to one jaw and formed of pressed sheet metal and including parallel longitudinal and spaced marginal upturned flanges and a transverse flange disposed between the longitudinal flanges, spaced bearing ears formed on the member by extending the parallel longitudinal flanges beyond the transverse flange and providing a bearing aperture in each spaced ear, said transverse flange being inturned/between the spaced bearing ears to form a pipe seat, pivot means disposed thru each bearing ear beneath the movable pipe seat, means mounting the pivot means for compound motion in the frame, a fluid conduit mounted on the operating member close to the transverse flange and between the marginal upturned flanges and having one end attached to the jaw and the other end projected thru and secured to the movable pipe seat, and a flexible bellows-like fluid connection axially arranged with the conduit and said bellows-like fluid connection having one end thereof secured to the movable pipe seat and connected with the conduit, a stationary pipe seat mounted on the frame and spaced from the movable pipe seat and on which the other end of the flexible fluid connection is mounted whereby said bellows-like connection is disposed between the two pipe seats, and operating means cooperating with the member and with the pivot means to open and close the press and to produce jaw compression.

16. In a press, a frame and cooperating press jaws, an operating member including spaced parallel portions attached to one aw to open and close the press, spaced pivots on which the spaced parallel portions of the operating member are pivotally mounted, and motor means disposed forwardly in the frame and forwardly of but between the spaced pivots, and means connecting the motor to the pivots to move the pivots up and down to produce and release jaw compress1on.

17. In a press, a frame and cooperating press jaws and operating means therefor, said operating means including a swingable member mounted to swing on an axis and attached to a jaw and adapted to move the same; means to supply the movable jaw with air spray, steam spray and air suction including a conduit carried on the swingable member and adapted to operatively swing therewith; and a bellows-like flexible connection one end of which is fixed to the swingable conduit and the other end to the frame, and being disposed transversely to the axis aforesaid and yieldable longitudinally and also bendable between its fixed ends to supply the suction and spray medium to the movable aw. J 18. In a press as particularly specified in claim 17 and further restricted by steam heating conduits carried on the swingable member to convey steam to the movable jaw to heat the same, one conduit being an inlet and the other a steam outlet, and a bellowslike flexible connection for each of the inlet 95 and outlet conduits, each flexible connection having its one end attached to the steamheating conduits and its other end attached to the frame, and each flexible connection being disposed transversely to the axis and yieldable longitudinally and bendable between its attached ends.

19. In a press, a frame and cooperating press jaws\ and operating means therefor to move one jaw, said operating means including a wide upright sheet metal arm having a flat central web with parallel edges upturned to form conduit enclosing marginal edges, pivot means carried in the frame and on which the upright is pivoted proximate its parallel edges, said operating means including means to move the pivot means up and down, a plurality of rigid conduits .fixed on the central web and swingable therewith and disposed within the enclosing marginal edges, the upper ends of the rigid conduits being connected with the movable jaw, a plurality of bellows-like tubular connections placed in parallel relation at right angles to the pivot means, the transverse mean axis of the bellows connections being coincident with the axis of the pivot means, a conduit anchorage plate carried on the upright in parallel spaced relation from the axis of the pivot means, the upper ends of the bellows connections and the lower ends of the rigid conduits being joined together at the conduit anchorage plate, and the lower ends of the bellows connections being secured to the frame at a point diametrically opposite the conduit anchorage plate.

20. In a press, a frame and press jaws mounted thereon, an upright including spaced portions attached at its upper end to one of the jaws to move the latter, spaced parallel arms carried in the frame beneath the jaws and on which the upright spaced portions are pivotally carried on spaced pivots to swing the upright upon the pivots and to give the upright bodily downward movement, operating means to actuate the spaced arms to move one of the jaws aforesaid, and conduit means including pipes disposed between the spaced arms and between the upright spaced portions and including flexible and extensible bellows disposed proximate the axis of the spaced pivots and therebetween their ends being connected to the lower end of the upright and the frame, and connections from the bellows leading along the upright to the movable jaw and connected to the latter.

21. In a press, a frame and press jaws carried thereon, a swingable upright which arches around the rear edges of the jaws and is attached to upper jaw, and the upright being curved into the frame and having its lower portion directed downwardly under the jaws, compound-motion pivot means under vthe jaws and being movable up and down in the rame and on which the lower portion of the upright is pivotally supaorted, a fluid pressure conduit means shape to conform to the arched and curved upright and being secured to and bodily swingable therewith, flexible conduit connections disposed at the pivot means and having their one ends connected with the conduit means, and a seat on the frame to which are secured the other ends of the flexible conduit connections.

In testimon whereof I aflix my signature.

J AMES GAMROD LEDBETTER. 

